In a significant move towards bolstering national security and promoting self-reliance under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, the Indian government has initiated a thorough review to identify and eliminate Chinese-origin components from all military equipment and systems used by the armed forces. The review spans weapon platforms, communication equipment, drones, surveillance systems, and logistic supplies where Chinese-made parts may have direct or embedded presence.
Strategic Context of the Review
The decision comes amid rising concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities, cyber security threats, and strategic dependencies on China, especially in the backdrop of continuing border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A senior defence ministry official said:
“Our objective is to comprehensively map and eliminate Chinese-origin parts to ensure there is no potential sabotage or backdoor vulnerability in critical military hardware. This review will cover legacy imports, recent acquisitions, and systems under upgrade.”
Key Objectives of the Review
- Identify Chinese-made components in existing and under-development military platforms.
- Replace them with indigenously developed parts or trusted imports from strategic partners.
- Strengthen supply chain resilience and ensure operational security.
Defence Minister’s Statement
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while addressing the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday, underscored the urgency of the initiative:
“National security requires secure supply chains. We cannot afford any operational vulnerability arising out of adversarial components in our military ecosystem. This review is a crucial part of our strategic autonomy framework.”
Defence Sectors Potentially Impacted by Chinese Components
| Sector | Examples of Chinese Components Identified | Proposed Action |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Systems | Radio sets, encryptors, transceivers | Replace with DRDO/BEL made secure systems |
| Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) | Flight controllers, imaging sensors | Indigenisation under iDEX-Drone rules |
| Surveillance Equipment | CCTV modules, thermal cameras | Import substitution via Indian OEMs |
| Weapon Platforms | Small sub-systems in naval radars & fire control | Vendor revalidation and local sourcing |
| Logistic Support Equipment | Battery packs, power systems | Development of domestic battery supply chains |
Review Process by Defence Department
| Department | Scope of Review | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | Communication, UAVs, surveillance, radars | 6 months | Initiated |
| Navy | Ships, submarine components, electronic warfare | 9 months | Under planning |
| Air Force | Aircraft avionics, radar modules, drones | 8 months | Initiated |
| DRDO | Development projects with imported sub-systems | Continuous | Ongoing |
| DPSUs | Procurement contracts and upgrade programmes | 6 months | Initiated |
Rising National Security Concerns
The review follows repeated alerts from intelligence agencies and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Secretariat warning of:
✅ Potential malware or embedded surveillance codes in Chinese components.
✅ Strategic blackmail risk in case of sudden supply chain disruptions.
✅ Lack of trusted vendor certification on Chinese-origin parts.
Previous Incidents That Raised Red Flags
- 2020: A Chinese-made drone used by a paramilitary unit malfunctioned during a border reconnaissance sortie, leading to concerns over embedded control vulnerabilities.
- 2021: Indian Navy discovered sub-standard sub-systems in an imported radar sourced via a third-country supplier, which contained Chinese circuits.
- 2022: Cyber security audits flagged potential backdoor in Chinese-manufactured encryption hardware used in army field communication units.
Defence Procurement Policy Changes
Under the new review mechanism, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will:
- Amend procurement guidelines to mandate a No-Chinese-Origin certification for all critical sub-systems.
- Promote indigenous manufacturing under Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020.
- Collaborate with trusted global defence suppliers (e.g. Israel, France, US, South Korea) to replace critical components where immediate indigenous options are unavailable.
Industry Impact
Positive for Indian Defence MSMEs
Indian defence MSMEs are expected to benefit from new opportunities to manufacture electronic modules, communication systems, battery packs, and UAV parts that were earlier imported indirectly from Chinese vendors.
Challenges for Some OEMs
Some domestic suppliers who rely on Chinese parts due to cost advantages and availability might face short-term disruption until local manufacturing scales up or alternative suppliers are identified.
Expert Opinion
Lt. Gen. (Retd) Dr. Rakesh Sharma, former Adjutant General, Indian Army, said:
“This review is long overdue. China is both a military adversary and a competitor in global technology chains. Eliminating Chinese-origin parts from our weapon systems is essential for operational security and strategic independence.”
Recent Developments Supporting This Move
✅ May 2024: MoD banned Chinese telecom equipment in all tri-services networks.
✅ Sept 2024: DPSUs mandated to declare country of origin for all components under new procurement compliance rules.
✅ Feb 2025: DRDO expanded its ‘Technology Transfer to Industry’ programme to fast-track manufacturing of electronics and avionics sub-systems.
India’s Defence Indigenisation Push: Key Highlights
| Year | Indigenisation Initiative | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Ban on 101 defence import items | Boosted local manufacturing of artillery, radars, UAVs |
| 2022 | DPEPP 2020 targets revised | Defence production target set at ₹175,000 crore by 2025 |
| 2023 | Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) operationalised | Enhanced electronic testing and certification capability |
| 2024 | Positive Indigenisation List expanded to 310 items | Reduced import dependence significantly |
Challenges Ahead
- Component Availability: Some critical microchips, semiconductors, and optical sensors are globally dominated by Chinese firms.
- Cost Competitiveness: Domestic manufacturing may initially increase costs, impacting procurement budgets.
- Supply Chain Reconfiguration: Identifying and approving new vendors while maintaining equipment performance standards.
Future Outlook
The ongoing review is expected to be completed within 6-9 months, after which the Ministry will release updated procurement guidelines mandating trusted sources for all critical military parts.
Experts believe this move, if implemented effectively, will:
✅ Strengthen national security.
✅ Promote defence sector self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
✅ Reduce vulnerabilities in case of external conflict or supply chain disruptions.
✅ Create large opportunities for Indian electronics and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Conclusion
India’s strategic decision to identify and eliminate Chinese-origin parts from its military systems is a major step towards ensuring operational security, strategic autonomy, and defence self-reliance. While immediate challenges exist in identifying alternative suppliers and building domestic capacity, the long-term benefits will significantly enhance India’s defence preparedness and sovereignty in the evolving regional security landscape.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to rely on official Defence Ministry notifications for specific procurement guidelines and policy decisions.
